This week, Volkswagen has introduced a new ID.3 facelift, not even three years after the original was first debuted. However, while a new facelift was planned, Volkswagen never interned on launching it just yet, but due to public criticisms of the first generation, the company decided to bring the launch forward.
The main issues with the first generation were the lack of physical buttons and a unilluminated volume and climate control strip, underneath the infotainment screen. However, only a few things have been fixed. According to Volkswagen the interior plastics are now better quality, with a focus on using mostly recycled materials throughout. However, the main complaint with drivers was the software, which has been worked on.
Volkswagen says the new second-gen ID.3 features the latest version of the software, which is set to have a new simpler layout, better performance and over-the-air updates. Many users of the ID.3 and the Mk8 Golf for that matter have reported laggy issues with the cars operating system. Also new is a Travel Assist feature, which will used crowdsourced information from others cars to make sure you are kept in lane on badly marked roads. The route planner will also now suggest you visit charging locations that aren’t busy and have slow chargers – which should alleviate some queuing issues.
The things that haven’t been changed are the motors and batteries. The new ID.3 uses the same 201hp motor with the same battery options too. The base model will travel 265 miles on one charge, from the 58kWh battery. The next model up has a 77kWh pack and has 339 miles of range.
Volkswagen will put the new ID.3 into production later this year and so far, no pricing has been announced or any country availability. One notable country missed out of the ID.3 is the US, but considering other car manufacturers are putting less smaller cars on sale in the states, the ID.3 is unlikely to go on sale there. Other electric Volkswagen models are available, such as the ID.4 SUV and the iconic ID. Buzz.
